Fat gain arms, back, belly

amtherapy · June 2016

Hi everyone. Within the year or so, I've noticed I've put on weight in my upper arms and back, and in my belly. I've also noticed a big increase in cellulite. This is highly unusual for me, and I'm having trouble shifting it. I did not make any changes to my diet when the weight came on and my efforts to watch my calories and work out regularly have not helped. I'm 40 years old, and I have been under chronic stress for the last several years. What would cause fat to develop in those areas? Hormonal imbalances? Anyone know which hormones might be likely culprits/what I can do about it?

Thanks!

JenMc14 · June 2016

If you really, truly haven't made any dietary or activity changes, and can double check that with accurate logging, and you haven't started any new meds, then you may want to visit the doctor for blood work. But, unless you've been dilly gently,logging, and know you were in a deficit or at maintenance, the answer is likely that you either increase your caloric intake or decreased your activity, or both, and are currently in a caloric surplus. If you really think that isn't the case, again, get some blood work done.

emdeesea · June 2016

The simplest answer is usually the correct one so I am going to say that you've been eating too much.

But I'll go further and ask, when you say "watch my calories" what does that mean? Were you tracking calories? Weighing food on a food scale? More information is needed.

jemhh · June 2016

I'm heading to bed so I can't dig up the research but I have read a bit about female fat distribution changing to be more android than gynoid in nature as we are in our 40s and near/hit perimenopause.

amtherapy · June 2016

Thanks everybody. So basically my routine hasn't changed over the last couple of years in terms of diet or exercise, but in spite of that I noticed not gaining weight evenly all over, but rather in my arms, back and belly. No weight gain in my legs. This is a reversal for me because usually in the past when I put on weight I'd notice it appreciably in my thighs/hips. The reason I suspected hormonal issues is because of my age, chronic stress, and I also started experiencing other hormonal symptoms in the last couple of years - namely rosacea & acne, and I have NEVER had problems with either.

I never used to track calories but I started tracking in the last month and typically am around 1600/day, though on days when I work out I do sometimes go up to 2000 if I'm super hungry. I am still playing around with proportions of macros because I'm not sure what would work best for me. Ironically back 5+ years ago I was eating higher carb and was skinnier. Now I eat cleaner and lower in carbs but am bigger. So I think it's a combination of hormones and diet but I can't quite figure it out!

Muscleflex79 · June 2016

you still don't answer the questions about whether or not you weight your food? eating "around 1600" calories may be the problem...

emdeesea · June 2016

Part of getting older means we lose muscle, which also means our caloric intake has to go down.

I'm 44 and I'm active every day, but my TDEE is only about 1750 calories a day (or something like that). And I even lift weights on a fairly regular basis.

And yes, as women, as we get closer to menopause, the weight becomes more of an android weight gain as compared to a gynoid weight gain.

amtherapy · June 2016

Also I should add I am always craving salt. I read that can be a sign of adrenal fatigue. I RARELY add salt - unless it's Himalayan Pink salt - but my cravings are always savory and I have issues with reactive hypoglycemia if I eat too many carbs in a sitting. I did notice in tracking my foods that I seem not to be getting much potassium, unless it's just not labeled which is possible.

CharlieBeansmomTracey · June 2016

emdeesea wrote: »

Part of getting older means we lose muscle, which also means our caloric intake has to go down.

I'm 44 and I'm active every day, but my TDEE is only about 1750 calories a day (or something like that). And I even lift weights on a fairly regular basis.

And yes, as women, as we get closer to menopause, the weight becomes more of an android weight gain as compared to a gynoid weight gain.

which is why its recommended to get enough protein and lift heavy to prevent those losses which also happens with weight loss.as we get older and get closer to menopause our metabolisms slow down(this includes men as they age). weight comes off where it wants so Im sure it works that way when you gain as well. I dont think there is a difference. it could be Lipedema/Lipoedema also stress can be the cause of your issues too. stress can cause weight gain/weigh loss. OP,I would see a dr and have them do blood work to rule anything out.

amtherapy · June 2016

Yes, I hear you on the muscle loss with age. I could tell pretty quickly being a cardio bunny wasn't getting me anywhere. I've introduced a variety of weighted workouts into my fitness regime (heavy, light, and body-weight) but haven't seen major results yet. But I know it takes time.

As for daily calories, when I was about 15 pounds lighter, I was eating roughly 1500 calories a day and honestly I was starving all the time. So I will have to experiment with daily calorie levels. Now when I work out I typically burn about 700 calories, and I usually do eat more on those days, though still aim for a calorie deficit. I wear a Polar M400 and it tracks my calorie expenditure, usually in range of 1700-2600 depending on how active I am.

No, I don't weigh my food. I only recently started tracking at all - I never had issues maintaining my weight and never had to. Most things I eat now are portioned out already or include a scoop so I can measure. I don't eat meat - only wild fish which is pre-portioned so I know the ounces. I don't often eat cheese but that's one I could benefit from weighing because I can't eyeball that.

I wouldn't be shocked about gaining weight - I understand I'm getting older and have been under stress. It's just been really bothersome and unusual for me where the weight has come on. I'll probably see if I can get bloodwork done just to check everything out to make sure hormones aren't contributing to the problem.

Thanks everyone.

CharlieBeansmomTracey · June 2016

amtherapy wrote: »

Yes, I hear you on the muscle loss with age. I could tell pretty quickly being a cardio bunny wasn't getting me anywhere. I've introduced a variety of weighted workouts into my fitness regime (heavy, light, and body-weight) but haven't seen major results yet. But I know it takes time.

As for daily calories, when I was about 15 pounds lighter, I was eating roughly 1500 calories a day and honestly I was starving all the time. So I will have to experiment with daily calorie levels. Now when I work out I typically burn about 700 calories, and I usually do eat more on those days, though still aim for a calorie deficit. I wear a Polar M400 and it tracks my calorie expenditure, usually in range of 1700-2600 depending on how active I am.

No, I don't weigh my food. I only recently started tracking at all - I never had issues maintaining my weight and never had to. Most things I eat now are portioned out already or include a scoop so I can measure. I don't eat meat - only wild fish which is pre-portioned so I know the ounces. I don't often eat cheese but that's one I could benefit from weighing because I can't eyeball that.

I wouldn't be shocked about gaining weight - I understand I'm getting older and have been under stress. It's just been really bothersome and unusual for me where the weight has come on. I'll probably see if I can get bloodwork done just to check everything out to make sure hormones aren't contributing to the problem.

Thanks everyone.

even prepackaged foods can be way off and scoops are not always accurate. I learned that the hard way.fish is a big one if a fish fillet says say 113g it can be over 130g or as little as 90g.just for one fillet. its really easy to eat more than you think when you dont weigh food. thats how I gained my weight back in the 2nd year of my weight loss,I wasnt weighing up until then. I started weighing foods and the weight started coming off again.

emdeesea · June 2016

Weighing is the only way to be sure.

crawfishgirl333 · June 2016

Hello I recently started using my fitness pal, my weight is in my arms belly and back too. I'm also supposed to be in peri menopause. So far I have dropped almost eight Ibs. I starting weighing food as well.

Fat gain arms, back, belly

Replies

Categories